History of Sonepur Mela
The origins of the fair can be traced back to the reign of Indian king Chandragupta Maurya who used to buy elephants and horses across the Ganges. Many traders from Central Asia would gather to take part as per historical records. Back then, Sonepur was merely a religious site and the fair used to be held at Hajipur. Only the puja was performed in the Hariharnath Temple in Sonepur. However, this changed under the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, and Sonepur has been the venue of the fair ever since. The temple of Hariharnath is believed to have been built by Lord Rama himself while he was en route King Janak's court to ask for his daughter Sita's hand in marriage.
Sonepur Mela 2018 Dates
November 14 to December 13, 2018
Animals at the Sonepur Mela
What started off as a large fair for the trading of cattle has blossomed into a large marketplace of various animals such as dogs, cats, elephants, goats, cows, horses, rabbits, birds, buffaloes, camels, hens, pigs, and an assortment of bird species.
Legend of Sonepur
Legend has it that Sonepur was the place of settlement of the never-ending fight between Gaj and Grah - the elephant and the crocodile or the forest and the water. It is believed that an elephant, along with his herd, came to this lake for a bath. A crocodile captured one of its legs within its powerful jaw, and the elephant was stuck. The struggle to break free from the crocodile lasted for years and even with help from its herd, the elephant's strength declined, and he prayed to Lord Vishnu or Sri Hari for help. His prayer was heard, and he was finally saved by Lord Vishnu. The shouting out of the phrase "Kaun Haara, Kaun Haara" (Who got defeated?), is how the river bank "Konhara" got its name.
How to Reach Sonepur Mela 2018
Sonepur is well connected by road to Patna (56 km), Muzaffarpur (36 km) and Hajipur (5 km). Patna Airport is also at a distance of 30 km, and the Sonepur Junction is the nearest railway station. One can hire a taxi from any of these cities to travel to Sonepur.
Air:The closest airport is the Patna airport, situated 30km from Sonepur. The airport is well-connected to the major Indian cities.
Rail:The closest railway station in the Sonepur Junction. Not too far away is the Hajipur Junction, the headquarters of the Eastern Central Railways of the Indian Railway System.
Road:The closest bus stand is in Hajipur, about 5km from Sonepur. Taxi services may be availed to reach Sonepur.
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Where to Stay
Staying at the mela can be done at the camps set up for the pilgrims but you will have to be prepared to rough it out in them as they are set up right in the mela grounds. There is also the Bihar Tourism resort which is a viable option. Tourist lodges are set up during the festival with western style washrooms to accommodate the people coming. Small hotels and guest houses are also there. You can also go a short distance to places like Hajipur for staying during this time.
Tips
1. Beware of huge crowds especially on Kartik Poornima. Try to stay in groups. Enjoy the festivities but stay alert in the dark.
2. Avoid carrying big loads, cameras, mobile phones or other valuables.
3. Given how crowded it can get, walking around is your best bet at seeing the entirety of the festival. So keep your running shoes packed and get ready to give your legs an insane workout!
Photos of Sonepur Mela 2018
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